Effects of the antiepileptic drugs on peripheral nerve function

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the effects of antiepileptic drugs and provide findings of peripheral nerve impairment using standard electrophysiological techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Young adult outpatients with epilepsy on monotherapy for no less than 6 months with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), oxcarbazepine (OXC) and topiramate (TPM) were examined. Patients who had any other disease that could effect nerve conduction studies and who had neuropathic symptoms were excluded.

RESULTS

Each group contained 15 patients and 20 healthy subjects were examined as the control group. Prolonged latency of median sensory nerve (P = 0.004), ulnar sensory nerve (P = 0.01) and sural nerve (P = 0.003) with a diminished nerve conduction velocity was observed in the CBZ group (P = 0.014, P = 0.002, P = 0.025, respectively). No correlation was found between VPA, OXC and TPM and the nerve conduction studies (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Valproic acid, oxcarbazepine and topiramate don't have effects on nerve conduction studies. Mild electrophysiological changes contribute to carbamazepine therapy.